Crunch court date for UK’s ‘union’ and supernal drama
MONEY WEB
We begin this week with the first drip in what will no doubt prove to be a torrent of buoyant financial results, starting with Google’s parent company Alphabet, which will be posting its quarterly profits today. This on the back of last week’s record £3.9bn fine by the EU, which concluded the company had abused its market position by using its Android operating system. Alphabet has cash reserves of about £78bn but has indicated it will appeal the ruling. Facebook will post its quarterly profits on Wednesday, followed by Amazon on Thursday.
ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS
Tomorrow, the Duke of Sussex is due to attend the International Aids Conference, the largest conference on any global health issue in the world. On the second day of his visit, the Duke will join a plenary session with Sir Elton John to launch a new coalition of global Aids funders – the MenStar Coalition.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall will be carrying out engagements on the Isle of Wight. She will visit Osborne House in East Cowes, where she will be welcomed by Dame Judi Dench, the patron of the Friends of Osborne House.
Finally, the Prince of Wales is set to carry out engagements in Staffordshire. The Prince will visit the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Forest Research Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment experiment facility and the new Pool House Veterinary Group’s Equine Clinic in Lichfield.
STATE OF THE UNION
What would the week be without a bit of Brexit bedlam? Well, aside from any Leaver/Remain rascality in the House of Commons, which incidentally breaks up for its summer recess tomorrow, there will also be the not insignificant matter of a Supreme Court challenge by the UK Government over Brexit legislation passed by the Scottish and Welsh devolved administrations. The court is being asked to rule on whether the legislation is constitutional and within the powers of the devolved legislatures.
It all centres on powers which will return to the UK after Brexit and whether they will be devolved to Scotland and Wales or reside with Westminster. The UK Supreme Court will begin its hearings on the Scottish EU Continuity Bill tomorrow. Its eventual ruling will be a historic test not only for devolution but more fundamentally on whether the UK is a union or a federal system.
FEELING BOOKISH
Tomorrow sees the publication of the Man Booker Prize longlist. The 12 or 13 titles – known as the “Man Booker Dozen” – will be selected by the panel of five judges: Kwame Anthony Appiah (Chair), Val McDermid, Leo Robson, Jacqueline Rose and Leanne Shapton.
The Man Booker Prize was established in 1969. The winner receives £50,000 as well as the £2,500 awarded to each of the shortlisted authors. The winner is guaranteed a worldwide audience and a dramatic rise in book sales.
BLOOD MOON
Friday will see a total lunar eclipse in the British Isles. This is when the moon passes through the centre of the Earth’s shadow. It is expected to be the longest total lunar eclipse in the 21st century, with totality lasting about one hour 42 minutes and 57 seconds. In total, however, the Earth’s satellite will spend almost four hours crossing the ‘umbral shadow’. The moon will also appear to ‘turn red’ as the eclipse filters the light reaching it.
As if that wasn’t enough, on the same night the Earth will pass between the sun and Mars, making it brighter than Jupiter in the sky. The supernal drama will begin with a partial eclipse visible from about 7.30pm and the full eclipse starting at about 8.30pm and ending just after 10pm.
As Parliament prepares to break for its summer recess, Neil Hudson looks at some of the stories which will be making headlines over the next seven days.